Bung Moktar (left) being briefed by Edward at the site of the water treatment plant on Sunday.
KOTA KINABALU: Once completed, the Telibong II water treatment plant will be able to increase water production there by two fold, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Bung Moktar, also the Works Minister who conducted a surprise working visit to the construction site on Sunday, said when Telibong II is operational, water production will increase to 160MLD from the current 80MLD.
The increase in water production should be able to resolve the water supply problem faced by residents in Sepanggar, University Apartment, Bandar Sierra, Taman Rimba, Manggatal and surrounding areas, he said.
Bung Moktar added Telibong II is expected to be fully operational by 2023.
“Completion of the project was delayed and the contractor has been given an extension. We hope the project can be completed by 2023 and I want to see monthly progress so that the project is completed on schedule,” he said.
Bung Moktar also said that the government understands the constraints faced by the contractor due to the several Movement Control Orders (MCO) but stressed that the contractor should not use this as an excuse for the delay in the project.
“The rapid development growth in the state capital is among the contributing factors that caused a shortage of water supply in the area. Other factors include the Pan Borneo Highway project, water theft and the high turbidity of Tuaran River making it difficult to process,” he said.
He added that the Works Ministry will construct water reservoirs as a contingency plan to supply water to treatment plants when the rivers are experiencing high turbidity.
Reservoirs are also part of the ministry’s long-term measures in addressing the water supply disruption in the state, he said.
According to Bung Moktar, under the Telibong II water treatment project, two reservoirs will be built to store water for use during instances of high turbidity of the river water or dry season.
Among areas where reservoirs will be built are Beaufort, Pitas and Sipitang, the Kinabatangan member of parliament and Lamag assemblyman said.
“We will put into detail this plan and apply for allocation from the government,” he said.
Bung Moktar was accompanied by state Water Department director Edward Lingkapo, officers from the Water Department and the project consultant.